Celebrity Esthetician & Cosmetic Chemist Achieves 25-Year Milestone: Q & A with Elina Fedotova

Elina Fedotova, Founder and Chief Formulator of Elina Organics, recently celebrated a quarter century of her award-winning holistic skincare brand and clinical spas. When Elina launched her laboratory, she paved the way for other natural and organic beauty brands, as she was the first in the United States to debut in this category. She is also the president of The Association of Holistic Skin Care Practitioners, founded in 2007. I had the privilege to speak with Elina to learn more about her life-changing products, her successful international business, and future plans.

Elina, congratulations on all your amazing accomplishments. Is there a product or two that you are most proud of?
One of the products I am most proud of is our Baikal Crystal Face Infusion and the other one is Ambra Lift Elixir.

Baikal Crystal Face Infusion: Winner of the DERMASCOPE Aestheticians’ Choice Awards for “Best Antioxidant Moisturizer” in 2023! 

Ambra Lift Elixir:  Winner of the DERMASCOPE Aestheticians’ Choice Awards for “Best Anti-Aging Moisturizer”!

What was your big beauty break? When did you think this is really something special?
Throughout my 25 years, I have experienced many successes with both my spas and my organic skincare and cosmetic line. However, upon the introduction of the Baikal Crystal Face Infusion Facial and the development of my Baikal Crystal Infusion line, I was delighted to receive numerous testimonials from my clients. Many shared that following the facial, friends and colleagues couldn’t help but notice a striking transformation, often asking if they had undergone a facelift, with repeated inquiries about the secret behind their newfound radiance.

These natural microcrystal-based skincare treatments not only delicately resurface and refine the skin’s texture but also create microscopic channels, allowing deeper penetration into the skin layers. By permeating the stratum corneum barrier, these microcrystals facilitate the absorption of rejuvenating nutrients that naturally fortify and shield the skin. With their ability to linger within the skin for up to three to four days, they continually deliver profound, restorative results, akin to microneedling, fostering controlled injury that triggers collagen and elastin regeneration. Additionally, they stimulate microcirculation and other intrinsic self-repair mechanisms of the skin. The immediate result is visibly firmer and more youthful skin, with continued improvements over time such as a reduction in discolorations, scars, as well as diminished fine lines and wrinkles.

What are your thoughts on the beauty industry right now, and being able to succeed?
I am genuinely enthused by the current trajectory of the beauty industry, which is increasingly embracing practices that are less invasive, free from harmful toxins, and centered around organic products. There is a discernible shift in consumer preferences, with a growing demand for treatments that are non-invasive and promote overall well-being. More and more individuals are opting for approaches that accentuate their natural features, leaving them looking revitalized and youthful, yet unmistakably themselves.

This trend has catalyzed an upsurge in the popularity of holistic, clinically backed, and sophisticated beauty treatments that yield visible results while maintaining the integrity of one’s appearance. People are now actively seeking solutions that help them achieve their desired aesthetic naturally, without resorting to drastic alterations. Once they experience the benefits of these approaches, they find contentment in their chosen methods and show no inclination to deviate from them.

In conjunction with this shift, a notable number of individuals are embracing a holistic lifestyle, extending beyond beauty treatments to encompass various aspects of their lives. As a result, there is a heightened emphasis on ensuring that beauty regimens are seamlessly integrated into this holistic framework, reflecting a larger commitment to overall health and well-being.

What are five products you wear daily?
I start my day using Cranberry Rose Skin Refiner in the morning and massage over my skin in the shower. It helps to gently polish the skin by removing dead skin cells on the surface after active process of skin regeneration at night while also nourishing the skin and improve its resiliency to oxidative stress from UV and other environmental factors by introducing highly concentrated antioxidants and other vitamins you are improving resiliency of the skin. For example, rose hips contain the highest concentration of vitamin C along with vitamin B complex. I always use Oil Control Formula in my T-Zone because my complexion is combination and it works beautifully as a pore minimizer and reduces shine, containing willow bark extract. I always make sure to use Baikal Crystal Eye and Face Infusion because the spicules penetrate the skin, delivering a cocktail of nutrients deeply into my skin. It helps to wake up my skin for the day with a tingling sensation due to the spicules going into your skin. It also helps to improve my face color and right away helps to lift my face and makes me feel alive! Depending on the weather, I love to use my Baikal Crystal Balm or Ageless Riche Liposome Face Cream on colder days.

Could you share some insights into your latest products and what makes them stand out to you?
Goya Balm is one of my newest products. It is kind of sad to see people put petroleum jelly over their lips or face at night and enjoy that process. While applying a tick protective film over the face helps to prevent transdermal water loss and skin dryness in the morning; however, instead of using petroleum-based products, you can do the same concept with a thick balm that coats your face at night to protect it from AC or heaters but one that is also natural, enriched with vitamins, antioxidants, and fruit enzymes. Goya Balm is a healthy and natural alternative to Vaseline. For years I offered Cappuccino Balm which has organic coffee extracts that is great for lips and acts as a healthy barrier for your skin to prevent dryness and wind burns. Now we also offer Goya Balm which is that same great feel and nourishment as the Cappuccino Balm our clients know and love now in delicious all-natural papaya and mango extract.

What is the top skincare advice that you can offer us? 
Read the labels of your products and try to understand what you are using on your face. Now it is much easier to do than it used to be because there are different types of websites and apps to help you analyze ingredients. If you do not have a healthy product, then I would suggest just using real food as your skincare! For example, I would suggest using yogurt in place of cleanser or if you have dry lips I would suggest a slice of cranberry to refresh and heal them. I would suggest vegetable glycerin as a moisturizer. You can also use organic butter around the eye area as it contains natural Vitamin A. Unless you know what you are applying on your skin or have been consulted by a holistic esthetician, do not use it and search for healthy and natural products.?

Could you give us a little preview of your future plans? 
Because I have developed several products containing fresh water and marine spicules and find them the most effective and corrective, I am now doing continuous research on this and developing more products specifically for hyperpigmentation and super sensitive complexion which are enriched with spicules combined with other natural skin nutrients for delivering the best results. In January I am introducing a spicules product for scalp rejuvenation because a lot of people have been experiencing a lot of hair loss, post-pandemic. I am also very excited to finally be introducing an organic hair conditioner in 2024 because my customers have been requesting one for many years. I also plan to introduce a Roll-on Salicylic acid-spot treatment for Acne, Body Lotion for hyperpigmentation, different body oils, and a Baikal Firming Mask – so stay tuned for exciting product releases in 2024!

To discover more about Elina and see her extraordinary line, visit ElinaOrganics.com.

Telina Cuppari Senior Staff Writer at Beauty News NYC
Telina Cuppari

Senior Staff Writer

Telina Cuppari is a world explorer who loves people and pizza. Originally from California, Telina speaks three languages and has worked in seven countries and traveled extensively in more than 30 nations. She now resides in New Jersey where she holds two Guinness World Records for the Largest Collection of Pizza-Related Items. Her husband was kind enough to let her turn their garage into a pizza museum. Telina received her master’s in Edinburgh, Scotland and after spent three more years in the capital writing for one of the country’s largest newspapers about her failed relationships and dating foreign men. She loves anything beauty related, cooking strange food that’s super healthy, and meeting new people. Telina is the founder of Pizza Kindness, an independent, nonprofit dedicated to spreading kindness throughout the tristate area with pizza-related events and campaigns that support college scholarships and other charitable organizations.